Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has firmly ruled out handpicking candidates ahead of next year's general election. Speaking at his younger brother Paulinus's wedding reception at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki, Nwifuru made it clear that he wasn't backing any aspirant outside of President Bola Tinubu and Goodluck Obinna Mbam, the state assembly member already endorsed by constituents.
"I have not made up my mind to support anybody except President Bola Tinubu who has demonstrated love and support to us as a state as well as Goodluck Obinna Mbam of the State House of Assembly whom the constituents have equally endorsed," the governor said. He warned political hopefuls to watch their words and behaviour to prevent tensions from escalating across the state.
The governor urged aspirants to trust in divine will rather than personal machinations. "You can only be there, when God says so. Let us be calm, let us be humble," he advised them. His comments come as political temperatures continue rising ahead of the 2027 poll.
According to a statement released Saturday by his media aide Dr Monday Uzor, Nwifuru plans to convene stakeholders for talks on ensuring a smooth electoral process. The meetings will commence Wednesday and run through Friday, covering senatorial, federal, and state assembly positions.
"We will not discuss the President's position, because that one is a no go area. We have only one Presidential candidate, which is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," the governor stated. He emphasised that Tinubu deserves total backing, noting that the president initiated projects in the state that'd be completed under his watch. "We are giving him our votes a hundred percent."
